OJAI : Duplex Plan May Need Impact Study
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An Ojai man who wants to build a duplex will have to pay $25,000 for an environmental study unless he proves that five residential units will not use more water than the three already on his lot, officials say.
Don Hamm, who proposes building the duplex, questioned the requirement, saying the city has no water conservation ordinance.
But Ojai Planning Director Bill Prince said he and the city attorney have determined that any additional water use from new development is a significant environmental impact.
“It does seem ridiculous to do an EIR on a duplex, but as long as the water situation continues, it will be like that,” Prince told a surprised Planning Commission this week.
Hamm could avoid paying for an environmental impact report, Prince said, if he hires a water consumption expert and proves that his property’s net water use will not increase.
Installing low-flow fixtures in the two new units and retrofitting the three existing residences might achieve that goal, he said.
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